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F.Y.I.

Published on May 20, 1996.

D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles is taking another look at a merger with N.W. Ayer & Partners, New York, industry executives said. One executive said a plan on the table calls for a non-cash deal that would allow Ayer owner W.Y. Choi to keep a minority interest.

SBC Communications, San Antonio, is close to naming an agency to handle its $70 million consolidated mobile-services account. Roster shops including D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles, St. Louis, and GSD&M, Austin, Texas, have pitched.

Dick's Sporting Goods, Corapolis, Pa., a fast-growing chain of sports superstores, is seeking an agency to handle a $15 million ad account.

Citizens Telecommunications, Stamford, Conn., is seeking an agency to handle a new $12 million integrated marketing account.

Unilever's Helene Curtis Industries, Chicago, to the Botway Group, New York, from DDB Needham Worldwide, Chicago, for its estimated $80 million in U.S. media buying.

U.S. Cellular Corp., Chicago, to W.B. Doner & Co., Detroit, from McConnaughy Stein Schmidt Brown, Chicago, as national agency of record for its estimated $25 million account.

James B. Meigs to editor in chief of Premiere, succeeding Chris Connelly, who resigned in a dispute with Hachette Filipacchi President-CEO David Pecker. Mr. Meigs is a former Us editor who was most recently a consulting editor at In Style.

Kikkoman International, San Francisco, to Foote, Cone & Belding from Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising for the $6 million account for its sauces.